DELAYED JUVENILE DERBY TO MAKE A FLYING START
Ian Fortune
The weather gods may have been against us last Friday night but there is nothing stopping the TIME Juvenile Derby from getting underway gets at Shelbourne Park this evening.
It’s safe to say this year’s crop of young greyhounds are potentially special and should provide some exceptional performances over the coming weeks.
There are eight heats in all with the action getting underway at the slightly earlier time of 7.34pm. Robert Gleeson has a strong hand as he seeks a second win in the classic following the 2023 victory of Droopys Flytline. He has a four strong team with three of the top five in the betting representing his Rathangan base.
SCHOLSEY CAN STRIKE
His first runner is Carrick Scholsey in Heat 2.
He looked a serious prospect around Kilkenny, posting a sensational 28.68 on debut before going on to win the Summer Cup at Shelbourne Park. He faces a tricky draw in four and needs to be on his toes in the early yards with Solo And Go certain to go up fast on his inner, while Sallagh Curly, Made To Measure and Ballinaveala Bolt are also respected.
It’s a contest packed with quality Carrick Scholsey is chosen to lead home the well-housed Made Top Measure.
PAINTING TO DELIGHT
Gleeson will be hopeful that Droopys Painting can put a recent tumble behind him in Heat 3.
He displayed all sorts of ability on debut, winning in 28.13 at Shelbourne. A repeat of that form would see him emerge as the one to beat, although the hugely promising Glengar Silent is seen as a serious threat.
While still very green, he displayed awesome pace and power last time to win in 28.26. Don’t be surprised if he goes even faster. Getup The Boy and Lookandlep have also shown plenty of ability and can figure but Droopys Painting looked very special on debut and is chosen to return to winning ways.
KING CAN RULE
Toolmaker King is another with huge claims for Robert Gleeson in Heat 5.
The Denis Linehan Solicitors Open Unraced champion at Curraheen Park makes his Shelbourne Park debut but clearly has all the ability in the world.
He posted 28.13 in his latest success at Cork and there’s no reason he can’t go as fast this evening. He takes on some hugely talented rivals, however, including last Saturday’s Champion Plate winner Ballymac Tibet and the incredibly exciting Droopys Faithful.
Ballymac Tibet would almost certainly prefer a little further and needs to be at his sharpest in the opening yards, while Droopys Faithful is very inexperienced. She won on debut last Saturday, showing all manner of pace and there is certainly better to come but she may have to settle for a supporting role behind her litter brother Toolmaker King.
SHADOW THE BANKER
Montana Shadow is amongst the favourites for outright glory.
One of the stars of the Champion Open Unraced at Kilkenny, he flew down the back in his latest outing at Shelbourne. With a better start, he should come out on top in Heat 7 where his rivals include Annadown Ellie and Sallagh Larry.
Montana Shadow has the potential to b a real star and he is nominated as the banker from an ideal draw in the stripes.
STUD TO DOMINATE AGAIN
Ballymac Stud is another of the leading hopes for Juvenile Derby success and he takes his place in the final heat.
He recently dead-heated in the Celtic Cooling Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Open Unraced at Shelbourne making it three from three.
Liam Dowling’s star has stunning early speed and can again dictate the pace before coming home in front of Magical Keith and Patterdale Timmy.
MINT ON AN UPWARD CURVE
The round gets underway with recent 28.18 scorer Ballymac Mint taking on Champion Open Unraced winner Unanimous Leo, the exciting Ballymac Dave and Sunshine Sioux.
Murt Leahy also sends out a couple of newcomers in this contest but they certainly seem to be facing a tough task.
On the evidence of her latest run, Ballymac Mint is ready to take her place at the top table and is chosen to follow up at the expense of her kennel companion Ballymac Dave and Unanimous Leo. Sunshine Sioux has the pace to go close but needs to sharpen up from a tricky draw in four.
GREEN GETS THE NOD
Heat 6 is packed with quality.
Much will depend on the start but realistic claims can be made for most of those in the line-up. Coloursaregreen is very exciting, winning in 28.36 in his second start in the recent Open Unraced at Shelbourne.
He will be severely tested, however. Slingshot Poppy is a very natural starter and is already proven in classic company, running-up the Produce Stakes before going on to win a valuable stake at Sunderland. Ballymac Lake also boasts some impressive form, while Upper Horgan and Rural Pest have been keeping top class company. It’s a really competitive affair but slight preference is for Coloursaregreen.
STYLE WITH THE DRAW
Heat 4 is an open looking affair but an inside draw could make the difference for Swords Style.
He is well housed on the fence and can improve on his latest run. Happy Jet is strong and is sure to motor from the second bend, while Burgess Mystery is well drawn in six and boasts some useful Shelbourne Park form. On the strength of the draw Swords Style is chosen to come home in front.